Airports and roads will be busy over the holidays. Here's what you need to know to prepare
Headed to the airport this holiday season? Pack your patience.
Lots of travelers plus new pandemic rules topped by labor shortages could make things interesting over busy holiday weekends. But a little planning and having the right mindset will make all the difference.
Air travel is expected to be almost back up to 2019 numbers, according to AAA, so that means lines and crowds will start piling up. A whopping 4.2 million Americans will pass through airports in the days around Thanksgiving.
And that's just air travel. Most Americans who are heading out of town will take a road trip. Typical traffic chokepoints in large cities are expected to have backups.
Here's a glance at what to expect as travel ramps up.
What's changed in air travel since the last time you booked a flight
If you haven't been on an airplane since the start of the pandemic, you're not alone. So many people have made this type of journey the last one to attempt since the shutdown.
Things are mostly the same except for one big one change: Masks are required in the airport and on the plane. That's a federal rule so the policies are the same across the country.
If you're traveling internationally, lucky you! Just make sure you know all the COVID-19 vaccination and test rules before you go. The big one is that you'll need a negative COVID-19 test before coming back to the U.S. no matter what your vaccination status.
What to check before you head to the airport
McGhee Tyson Airport in Alcoa has two handy guides to use for your travel day. Find them both at flyknoxville.com.
The first shows the real-time capacity of the airport parking garages and lots. If you've ever felt the pressure of circling for a parking spot as your flight is about to leave, you'll appreciate this heads up.
The other is the estimated time it will take to get through airport security. It'll help you gauge how early to leave your house.
McGhee Tyson suggests arriving two hours before your flight. Airlines typically require check in at least 30 minutes before your flight.
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Tempted to bring holiday food on the flight? Know the rules
The TSA sent out guidelines that are very specific to the holidays. Here's what you cannot carry on to an airplane: Gravy, cranberry sauce, wine, jam and preserves. Those items need to be in a checked bag.
Cakes and other baked goods? Those are fine to bring through security.
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Road trip? Gas prices are high
Gas prices typically go down the fall, but not this year.
What can we blame for this? OPEC.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries met this fall and decided not to increase oil production as a way to build up supply and therefore lower prices amid the global economic recovery.
President Joe Biden announced he's releasing 50 million barrels of oil from the nation's emergency stockpile to lower energy costs. That should help ease gas prices in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Right now, gas prices are a good news-bad news situation. While GasBuddy.com expects the average American gas price to fall to $3.35 per gallon on Thanksgiving Day, that's actually the highest number in seven years.
The average gas price in Tennessee is slightly below that right now, clocking in at $3.11 per gallon, according to AAA.
Just over 30% of Americans plan to travel for Thanksgiving, according to GasBuddy's 2021 Annual Thanksgiving Travel Survey. That's down by about half from 2019, the last Thanksgiving before the pandemic struck.
Best and worst times to drive home after Thanksgiving
There are good and bad times to be on the road this week, according to AAA.
On Turkey Day itself, it's best to travel before 11 a.m.
When you're heading home Friday, Saturday or Sunday, mornings are less crowded. You'll run into the highest number of cars mid-day through 7 p.m.
USA TODAY contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Prepare for busy airports, roads during Thanksgiving in Knoxville, TN
